Suddenly they are everywhere……

Suddenly you see them everywhere – on coffee cups, on the T, billboards, in magazines, on webpages and in retail stores.  All those in the cool crowd (you know who you are) are scanning these black and white boxes with their mobile phones.  Why?   It’s a type of barcode, called a QR code (Quick Response) redesigned in a 2D square that holds thousands of alphanumeric characters. These new bar codes have been designed to be read by web-enabled smartphones so that more information on the product or service can be quickly found.

How can I use them?

There are a number of apps in the iPhone App Store that can read QR Codes and most Android phones and Blackberries are able to read the codes right out of the box. All you need to do is launch the appropriate app, and point your phone’s camera at the QR code you want to scan. When you open the app on your phone, it will activate the camera on your phone and scan the QR code that appears on your screen.  

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is proud to announce that we are incorporating QR Codes into our business practices. A sample of one of our QR codes is shown at the top of this article.  You will start seeing these QR codes on our business cards, in our newsletters, and in our ads.  They will bring you to our website allowing you a more efficient way of accessing our services, as well as offering information on one of our many special and to win FREE stuff contests!  So start scanning!

Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most eagerly anticipated meals of the year and an ideal opportunity for cooks to show off their skills.  However, Underwriters Laboratorieshave determined Thanksgiving to be the peak day for kitchen fires.  Vargas & Vargas offers the following suggestions for kitchen safety to keep your Thanksgiving from becoming a statistic.

Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking. Most fires in the kitchen occur because food is left unattended. If you must leave the kitchen briefly, carry an oven mitt with you as a reminder that something is cooking. Don’t leave candles or other open flames unattended.

Keep the stove free of clutter. Don’t overload a stovetop with too many pots and pans. Trying to cook all the Thanksgiving dishes at once can cause grease to accidentally spill onto a stovetop and erupt into a fire. Only cook with as many pots and pans as there are burners.

DO NOT hold your child in one arm while cooking with the other. Holding a child while you are cooking is a recipe for a bad burn. It’s best, if possible, to keep your kids out of the kitchen altogether while you’re cooking. Keep them occupied in another room by having them play with relatives.

DO NOT wear loose fitting clothing when cooking. Long, open sleeves can ignite and catch fire from a gas flame or a hot burner. Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. If you have long hair, be sure to tie it back as it; too, can catch fire.

Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy while cooking. Be sure when removing lids on hot pans to tilt the pans away from you to protect your face and hands from steam. If there happens to be an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on a flame-resistant oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid until the food has cooled.

Be extremely cautious if using a turkey fryer. Because turkey fryers pose a number of distinct safety concerns, including burn and fire hazards, be extremely cautious and read the manufacturer’s directions carefully before using the turkey fryer.

Keep smoke alarms connected while cooking. Smoke alarms can save lives. Make sure smoke alarms are installed and working.

DO NOT pour water on a grease fire. Pouring water on a grease fire can cause the fire to dangerously spread.

Never put a glass casserole or lid on the stove or over a burner. If the glass gets hot and explodes, it will send shards of glass in all directions causing harm to anyone and anything in its path.

Be Prepared! Make sure your home insurance is up-to-date and ready to take on the worst-case scenario. With your family and friends visiting and the hectic kitchen, it is best to be prepared!

Thanksgiving is a day to enjoy family and friends and feast on great food. Follow these helpful Thanksgiving dinner safety tips from Vargas & Vargas Insurance and enjoy a safe holiday!

Safe Traveling During the Holidays

 

 

  

 

As the holiday season is approaching, it is an exciting time for family and friends to get together. Don’t let the enjoyment of these special times be tainted with tragedy due to a death or injury caused by a traffic accident. During the holiday season, motorists need to be mindful of actions that will make their holiday travel safer. Drivers can protect themselves and their passengers by following these holiday travel rules.

Before you start your trip, make sure your vehicle is tuned up and in good shape for travel. This is especially important for winter driving conditions. 

Restrain yourself and your passengers properly in seat belts and car safety seats. Remember, the rear seat is the safest place for children of any age to ride..

Be flexible in setting your travel plans. Leave early if you can to avoid the peak traffic hours. If heavy snow is predicted during the time you plan to travel, change your schedule. It is better to reschedule your get-together than to risk the lives of traveling family or friends. 

Stay fresh and alert when driving. Take plenty of breaks and do not push yourself to meet an unrealistic schedule. If you get tired, pull off the road in a safe spot for a rest, get out of the car for some fresh air, or buy something to refresh you, until you feel revived. Forty-one percent of fatal traffic accidents are single vehicle crashes. These crashes most often occur during the late night/early morning hours and the late afternoon hours to drivers who are tired, have consumed alcohol, or both.

Keep your speed down. Give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic around you. Clear snow from all windows, side mirrors, and the roof of your vehicle. Keep headlights and tail lights clean – Dark winter days make it more difficult to see other motorists and pedestrians.

If there will be drinking at your holiday get-together, choose a designated driver who will remain alcohol free, 
because driving requires your full attention, pull off the road if you have to use your cellular phone.

Carry a driving emergency kit – a blanket, flashlight, candles, matches, jumper cables and a shovel in your trunk. Kitty litter or sand is also useful to gain traction if you happen to get stuck.  

Holidays are happy times filled of fond memories; follow the above safety tips to ensure that they stay that way. Vargas & Vargas Insurance wishes you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season!  

 

 

Winterize Your Home

 

Many disasters caused by winter weather conditions can be prevented by taking a few simple steps. Most homeowners’ policies provide coverage for ice dams, burst pipes, and losses from wind damage, snow or ice. There are several ways to prepare a home for winter and protect your most valuable asset from damage.  These tips will ensure a safe winter, if you think you need to review your insurance, Vargas & Vargas Insurance ins here to help you!  

1. Clean out all gutters – It’s important to remove all sticks, leaves and debris. This helps the melting ice and snow flow smoothly. It also prevents ice collecting and forming a dam, which can result in water seeping into the ceilings and walls.

2. Keep trees and branches trimmed – When branches hang over houses during the winter, they’re likely to accumulate snow and ice, which may make them break. Branches falling on homes can cause significant amounts of damage. They may also hurt people who enter the property.

3. Seal cracks and holes – Caulk all holes and cracks to ensure that melted snow and wind can’t enter the home.

4. Keep steps and handrails safe – It’s important to ensure that steps and banisters are sturdy and clear of snow and ice to avoid any to serious injuries.

5. Use insulation liberally – Homeowners should add extra insulation to basements, attics and crawl spaces. When heat escapes through the roof, it contributes to ice and snow melting faster. As the moisture melts, re-freezes and accumulates, it can cause a roof to collapse.

6. Keep it warm – It’s best to keep the thermostat at 65 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing. The temperature in the walls is always colder than the temperature in the house.

7. Call the professionals– The heating system should be checked and serviced every year to prevent fires. It’s also important to ensure that smoke alarms are working. Carbon monoxide detectors are another valuable safety feature that should be placed in every home. In addition to this, homeowners should have a contractor evaluate the home for structural damage. It’s best to identify and repair minor problems before they become a disaster.

8. Be familiar with shutting off the water – Homeowners should know how to do this, and they should know where their pipes are located. When pipes freeze, it’s imperative to act quickly. When going away for an extended time, it’s best to have someone look after the home or have a service professional drain the system.

9. Add an emergency pressure release valve – By adding this to a current system, homeowners will have a system that is protected against increasing pressure from frozen pipes.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency Inc. 877-550-0025 Fax: 617-298-8355 vargasinsurance.com

Regardless of the size of your business, you need commercial insurance as an essential investment for the protection of your business in the event of an unforeseen mishap leading to losses. Many local business owners have been rudely awakened to the reality that commercial insurance in Massachusetts is the only way to protect their investment in their company against unpredictable yet costly events.

Preparing to Purchase Commercial Insurance

When preparing to purchase commercial insurance, Massachusetts residents have important steps to take, including the following;

• Explore the different types of commercial insurance coverage

It is helpful to explore the various types of commercial insurance coverage available, so that you can have insight into the most suitable one for your business. This would also enable you to ask your insurer meaningful questions. For instance, property insurance is the type that protects your business location, so you can ponder how much coverage your should purchase in order to cover the risks pertaining to crime or environmental hazards around your business location. Indeed, it pays to be an informed insurance policy buyer.

• Carry out analysis of your business

While getting ready to purchase your business insurance, it is also helpful to analyze your business. Then, you can use the knowledge you acquire by studying the different types of business insurance to determine the type of commercial insurance that would be most suited for your business. One of the desirable approaches to business analysis for the purpose of insurance is to learn from business owners in your industry, especially those that run your kind of business. Ensure that you take some notes down regarding the information you gathered from your analysis, so that you can ask the right questions to commercial insurance providers.

When it comes to learning the basics of commercial insurance, Massachusetts residents may be best off looking online at some of the available options before seeking advice from a knowledgeable, local agent. With Vargas & Vargas Insurance, you can rely on us to get you the coverage you need. 

There is a chill in the air, and that is a sign that winter is not far away. As the temperature begins to dip, and you put away your flip flops till next year, don’t forget to protect your greatest investment- your house! Here are Vargas and Vargas Insurance  Agency’s top tips for preparing your home for the arrival of winter.

Keep the Heat Inside

Check around all doors and windows, and take time to replace weather stripping and caulk to seal up any cracks or openings to keep warm air from escaping outside. Consider installing new energy efficient windows and take care of the 2011 Energy Star Tax Credit! Add insulation in the attic and take a few moments to inspect your roof. Prevent possible ice dams by cleaning out the gutters and downspouts and fix any areas that may need repair.

Check That Furnace!

Don’t do this on your own. Schedule a checkup with an HVAC specialist to do a proper inspection of your furnace. Do you have a woodstove or fireplace?  Clear out the ashes, have chimney and flue are cleaned, and cover the chimney top with a protective screen to prevent animals and debris from getting in. Visit the Vargas & Vargas Partners  page on our website for a selection of professionals.

Before the First Snowflakes…

How many times has it happened? The winter’s first snowfall catches you by surprise! You find yourself rummaging around looking for the snow shovel, ice scraper, and ice-melt. Be prepared! Tune up the snow blower if you have one. Make sure the shovels, rakes, and ice scrapers are in good working condition. Buy ice-melt and sand to take care of those driveways and walkways

No Power? No Problem.

Hurricane Irene taught us, you can’t be too prepared!  Have an emergency supply of candles, matches, blankets and batteries in case of a loss of power. Those who have generators should make sure they are in working order. Stock up on bottled water, non-perishable foods, and compile a first-aid kit.

Going Away?

Taking the family on a winter vacation? Some may want to shut off the heating system while gone to save money on energy costs. Don’t, the interior will become far too cold and cause your pipes freeze, burst and flood your home. Don’t turn off the heat; turn it down to 55 degrees. Your house needs to stay warm too!           

Getting ready for winter may add to your “weekend to do” list, but it will save you money and protect your biggest investment, your house. You may want to also contact Vargas and Vargas Insurance to make sure you are adequately covered on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

FORT COLLINS, Colo.—The next two weeks should feature hurricane activity at “above-average” levels, according to the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University.

In a two-week forecast issued Wednesday, the Fort Collins, Colo.-based team said several factors played a role in the projection of above-average activity.

One of the primary factors is that Tropical Storm Katia is predicted to intensify into a major hurricane and have a long westward track across the tropical Atlantic, the team said in the forecast. It also noted that the National Hurricane Center is indicating that an area in the western Caribbean has a slight chance developing a tropical storm in the next 48 hours, “but indications are that there might be development of this system in the Gulf several days in the future.”

The forecasters also pointed out that several global models “hint at additional development” of storm systems in the eastern tropical Atlantic during the next seven to 10 days.

In its most recent long-term forecast, issued in early August, the team predicted 16 named storms would form during the season, which runs through Nov. 30. Nine of those storms are expected to grow into hurricanes, with five becoming major hurricanes, according to the forecast. 

Should you suffer any damage to your home, the first thing you want to do is report the claim to us. You can reach us online at www.vargasinsurance.com go to our service center tab. You can also call us with your claim. What many property owners don’t know is that they should also take immediate action to prevent addition damage.  Any immediate repairs that they make to prevent additional damage to the home are covered under your policy.  This might include hiring a contractor to come and put up tarps over the roof or having them remove the branch.  Vargas & Vargas Insurance stands ready to give you advice and counsel on how to best protect your family and property after an accident. 

Stop by our website today where we have found a better way to shop, buy and save on home insurance and auto insurance.  Not a homeowner?  Then request a free online renters insuranceThis policy will protect your personal property (clothes, electronics, liability etc) in the event of an accident.  Lastly, we can also get you a condominium insurance.  So if you are looking for Automobile Insurance, Flood Insurance, Life Insurance,  Homeowners Insurance, or Business Insurance, Vargas & Vargas Insurance is here to help you. 

If you have your homeowner’s insurance policy with Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we’re here to help you.

Do you know what the leading cause of death is among teenagers? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading causes of death. In their article, they stated that, “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In 2009, eight teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries. Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash”. As a result of the high death tolls among teens, Massachusetts started the strong graduated driver’s license program (GDL). Since GDL has been in effect since 1996, do you believe that the GDL has kept your teens safer while driving on the roads? If so you are correct, until teens reach a specific age. Since the GDL courses started in 1996, there have 1,348 fewer deaths among 16 year olds, but once the teens reach 18 years old, their pristine driving records seem to vanish. Since the start of the GDL, there has been an increase of 1,086 more deaths among 18 year old drivers, according to the Boston Globe.

When your teen is driving you will not always be in the car with them. So ask yourself these questions to better the safety of your child and your family.

1. Do I have the proper Auto Insurance?

Just by having Auto Insurance does not mean you will be properly covered by your when in an accident. Purchasing proper limits of liability on your Massachusetts automobile insurance policy will protect you against uninsured and under insured drivers.  Most  buyers of insurance who purchase their insurance online, fail to purchase the correct coverage’s and usually end up with very large deductible for glass coverage and other parts of their policies?  The state minimum liability limits are 20/40, $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident, many unadvised insurance buyers opt for these low limits Along with looking over your policy, you may want to find out if you are receiving the best rate. Many people pay more for their automobile insurance then they do for their home or life insurance and are not aware of    substantial discounts available to them if they write your Homeowners and Auto Insurance policies with the same insurance company.  

1. Who should I call to receive information about Auto Insurance?

Call Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency. With over 20 years of experience in offering people Home, Life, Workers Comp, Business Liability, and most importantly Auto Insurance, we will be able to assist you with Auto Insurance questions and quotes. At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we will make sure that your teen and family is properly covered

 

There will be an initial shock. Once you’ve realized what has happened and checked yourself for injury, you should attempt to exit your vehicle. You might need to use a window if your door has been damaged. As you find your way out of the vehicle, make sure to pay attention to the oncoming traffic and stay clear of it.

If your vehicle is still drivable, then move it to a public location. From there, you’ll be able to safely exit the vehicle and report the accident. Moving the vehicle is usually a good idea if there’s an immediate danger like being hit again on a busy interstate. Do keep in mind that some states require you to stay on the scene.

You should dial 911 to report the accident. The dispatcher will automatically know your location if you’re calling from a land-line. You’ll need to know your location when using a cellular phone since it’s a more difficult and lengthy process for an emergency dispatcher to determine your location through a cellular phone.

In the event that your vehicle ends up in water, staying calm is a must. You won’t be able to open the door due to the pressure from the water if the vehicle submerges. Calmly take a deep breath and roll down the window to escape. If the electric windows won’t work, then you should break the window by hitting it with an object or kicking it.

As far as insurance goes, most insurance carriers recommend the following universal steps be taken following an accident:

* Take note of how many passengers are in each of the other vehicles involved in the accident, as this will help prevent the future addition of passengers during insurance scams.

* Collect the full name, insurance information, and home address of all other drivers involved in the accident. You should also provide your information to the other driver(s).

* Write a brief summary of the accident, recording as many details as possible – the make, model and year of the vehicles involved; the time of accident; and weather conditions.

* Collect the names and contact information of any witnesses, especially if you feel something or someone other than yourself caused the accident.

* While it’s okay to express concern over what happened at the scene, you should never admit that the accident was your fault or claim liability.

* Have your insurance information, driver’s license, and vehicle registration available for the police. Once the police are on scene, the officer will collect your information. The officer will ask all the drivers what happened and record the account(s).

* Make sure that you ask the officer for the police report so that you can give it to your insurance carrier.

* You should contact your insurance agent or carrier as soon as possible. Most major insurance companies have a 24-hour phone number for claim reports.

 

You make sure your car’s oil is changed every three thousand miles but how often do you think about preventive home maintenance? Just like cars, homes need regular maintenance to extend their life, maintain their appearance and prevent costly repairs.

Vargas & Vargas offers you some tips on the best way to make sure you properly maintain your home.  First make a list of all the maintenance projects that are needed each year. Then, group items into smaller, more manageable lists to be completed throughout the year.

 

In order to create a complete home maintenance “To Do” list, you should perform your own thorough home inspection, including the following steps:

• Walk through each room and write down all repairs that need to be done-squeaky floorboards, updated electrical outlets, cracked bathroom tiles, etc.
• Walk around the exterior of your house and make note of the doors and windows, weather stripping/caulking need to be replaced, broken window panes, does the house need painting, is the siding in good condition? Keep an eye out for any exterior cracks in the home or driveway.
• Check that the condition of your roof, are the gutters clear of any debris?
• If you have a wooden deck/porch- is it time to repair it or treated with water-proofing sealant?
• Examine your landscaping. Are there weeds, bare patches or areas of over-growth, trees that are growing too close to your house?
• Walk your property line and examine the fence for any needed repairs or painting.
• Move all dangerous and hazardous materials such as propane tanks away from your house.
• Make note of all your home systems including appliances, air conditioning and heating units, water heater, water softener, electrical system, etc.

Now you have plan of attack as a Weekend Warrior! Also pull out the home inspection that was conducted when you purchased your home and make a note of any needed repairs. Don’t forget to check your Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors (change batteries at least twice per year).

 

 

 

Ideas to Reduce Premiums

• Take steps to make your home as disaster resistant as possible. For instance, consider adding stronger doors, storm shutters and reinforced roofing for added protection from hurricanes and other disasters. Many insurance companies will reduce premiums based on these upgrades. Visit http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html to more tips on how to protect your home against disasters.

• Many of our insurance carriers offer homeowners discounts for new or recently renovated properties. Because a newer home usually results in fewer losses, some insurers reduce rates by up to 25% for homes that are less than five or ten years old. Likewise, homes that have had significant renovations completed by a qualified contractor can also qualify for reduced insurance premiums. Contact us today and find out if you qualify.

• Improve the safety and security of your home. Items such as burglar alarms, deadbolt locks and smoke detectors can reduce your monthly premiums.

 

• Maintain an outstanding credit rating. Many insurance companies utilize credit scores in determining homeowner’s premiums. Achieving and preserving a strong credit score can result in a monthly premium discount.

• Consider the possibility that other discounts may apply. Our Insurance carriers offer a variety of options such as: long term customer discounts, senior citizen discounts, loss-free discounts, or multiple policy discounts.

 

• Is it time for a Homeowners Review?  Perhaps we can save you money. Let us shop the best value for the best price- as an independent agent we represent a variety of carriers.

 

• Combine and Save! Vargas & Vargas has saved some clients up to 30% just by combining their Home & Auto Insurance. Contact us and let us save you money too!

Your home is your castle, and there are many steps you can take to protect this valuable asset in the most efficient manner possible. Ask us, we are here to help!

 

 

Your first step should be to give Vargas & Vargas a call right away and let us know you have a new pool. If you neglect to inform your insurance carrier of this important fact, it could cause problems down the road if someone is injured in your pool.

Here are a few insurance facts to keep in mind as you get ready for your pool opening:

Your pool is separate from your home

Homeowner’s insurance generally provides coverage for damages to your home and “other structures” on the premises. Which means it is covered under the “other structures” portion of your policy, along with detached garages, sheds and screen houses.

With most homeowner’s policies, the maximum amount of insurance coverage for these other structures is 10 % of the amount of coverage on your home. In other words, if your insurance policy covers $100,000 on your home, the coverage you would receive for your pool and other structures would be $10,000 combined.$10,000 may not be enough to cover serious damages to your pool.. Plus, if you have a shed and a detached garage in addition to a new pool, keep in mind that this amount will have to cover damages to all three structures.

The type of pool damages your insurance will cover varies depending on your specific policy. Be sure to read the fine print and figure out exactly what your policy covers. Most policies do not cover damage caused by freezing, thawing, pressure or weight of ice water. Therefore, be sure to properly protect and “winterize” your pool before the colder months hit.

Protect yourself against pool liability issues

Insurance can also protect you against liability issues related to your pool. Obviously, there are serious dangers associated with pools, including injuries and drowning. Although the liability portion of your homeowner’s policy will protect your assets if someone sues you, it may not be enough. Most homeowner’s policies pay up to $100,000 in coverage each time a person makes a legitimate civil claim against you for an injury that occurred on your property. When you install a pool, you are increasing the chances that someone could be seriously injured or even killed on your property—and $100,000 may not be enough such a tragedy.

Contact us and we can discuss how you can protect yourself from liability issues and ensure that you are adequately covered so you and your family can relax and enjoy your new pool!

 

Release Date: July 6, 2011
Release Number: 1994-016

From; FEMA.gov

WESTFIELD, Mass. — Residents of Hampden and Worcester Counties who could not work because of the severe storms and tornadoes June 1 may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This program helps people who would not qualify for standard unemployment compensation programs.

To be eligible, disaster survivors need to live, work or own a business in Hampden or Worcester Counties, which have been designated for Individual Assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federally-funded program administered through Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to help workers whose primary income was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster.

Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks are available for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the storms and tornadoes and who do not normally qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, such as farmers and self-employed individuals.

The filing deadline is July 18.

Survivors can apply if they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• They became unemployed as a direct result of the storms and tornadoes.
• They cannot reach their place of employment because of disaster-related travel disruptions.
• They must support a household because the head of the household died in the storms.
• They are unable to work because of a disaster-related injury.
• They could not work because their place of employment was damaged or destroyed by the storms.
• They were scheduled to start work and the job no longer exists.

Applicants will be required to submit wage information and documentation regarding the basis of their claim.

For more information, contact the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, 1-877-626-6800 or 1-617-626-6800 or visit www.mass.gov/dua/disasterui.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

 

Tornado Relief: Federal Disaster Assistance for Massachusetts Residence in Hampden and Worcester Counties

BOSTON, Mass. — Disaster assistance is now available for Massachusetts residents in Hampden and Worcester counties who suffered losses related to the tornado of June 1, 2011. Disaster officials with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge people with uninsured or underinsured losses to register for help as soon as possible.

How do I apply for disaster assistance?

People can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or in Spanish at www.disasterassistance.gov/home?langcode=ES call FEMA’s toll free registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. (EDT) seven days a week. It will take about 15 minutes to complete the process.Before applicants call or go online, they should gather the following basic information to speed up the process:

• Social Security number
• Telephone number where he or she can be reached
• Address of the damaged property
• Current mailing address
• Brief description of disaster-related damages and losses
• Insurance information
• Direct deposit information to help speed delivery of funds

Is there any cost associated with registering for disaster assistance?
No. There are no costs related to registering for or receiving federal disaster assistance.

 

 

Vargas & Vargas Insurance of Dorchester, Norwood, and Stoughton, MA is pleased to announce a call for entries for the 3rd annual Boston’s Best Neighbor Award.

Carlos Vargas, President of Vargas & Vargas Insurance and originator of the award, stated “The purpose of the annual Boston’s Best Neighbor Award is to honor an individual who has demonstrated special care, concern, and volunteer hours to make their neighborhood a safer, more pleasant, and more friendly community for all of the residents. This individual may have made contributions to other neighborhoods, projects, or citywide concerns.”

 

Nomination guidelines and details can be found on the Vargas & Vargas Insurance website at www.vargasinsurance.com.  Nominations must be submitted or postmarked by April 15, 2011.  The 2011 winning nominee will receive $2,000 and a plaque to be presented at the Taste of Dorchester® event. The individual who nominates the winner will receive a $500 check and $500 donated to the charity of their choice. Two runners-up will also receive $250 each.

 

Help Elizabeth Seaton Academy (ESA) a private, Catholic, all girls’ college preparatory high school that provides a nurturing community for inner city learners. Help us reach their $10,000 goal

We will donate $1.00 for every new like on FB from March 1st-31st!

President’s Day is one of the biggest car-buying days of the year, but considers the cost of insurance when you are buying that new ride.  Most consumers will usually put forth a great deal of effort and time into searching out the best price for their new car. After all, the majority of America will have a budget for any large ticket purchase. One common mistake that consumers make when budgeting for a new car is only comparing what they can afford with the sticker price or loan payment for the car.

If cost is an issue, especially if choosing a car on the highest end of one’s budget, then it’s vital to factor in how much insurance will cost on the new car. It’s important to remember that car insurance prices will vary based on several car factors: sticker price, safety features, costs of repair, vehicle specific features, and high vs. low profile of vehicle.

Sticker Price

The greater the sticker price of a new or used car is, the more expensive it will be for an insurance company to replace it in the event of an accident. Therefore, the more expensive a car is, the more expensive the insurance will be for it. The added cost of insurance must be factored in to know if a car is truly affordable.

Safety Features

Safety features can have a big impact on car insurance. Features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, automatic seatbelts, traction control, and airbags are statically proven to greatly reduce the number of accidents and /or injuries that occur while driving a car. The overall safety, class safety rating, and “crashworthiness” of a vehicle is also a factor. Certain states mandate that a discount be given for vehicles with certain safety features. So, be sure and check the safety rating for the car and applicable state law. Five stars indicate the highest safety rating and one star the lowest.

Repair Cost

The cost to repair the car is another factor that will influence insurance cost. The more expensive a car is, the more expensive the parts will be in the event it ever needs a replaced or repaired part. Then, there are certain brands of cars that usually require a dealership or specialty mechanic for even the simplest repair. These cars usually require brand-specific tools and diagnostic equipment. All of this will result in higher insurance rates.

Car Specific Features

There are certain car features that will impact insurance cost. Hard top vs. soft top, number of doors, and size of engine would be feature examples. As a general rule, domestic cars and minivans are some of the less expensive types of vehicles to insure.

Profile

Some cars are easier to steal and more valuable to car thieves than others. These “high profile” cars are considered magnets for auto theft, and therefore more expensive to insure. Crime databases and local insurance agents can apprise buyers of what cars are considered high profile for their area.

All of the above influences on car insurance can dramatically increase the bottom line cost of acquiring a new car, as they can alter car insurance from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. It’s vital to seek an insurance estimate before deciding if a car is a good deal.

Thanks for visiting our brand new Virtual Insurance Office. Please feel free to call us or contact us with any questions or comments.